pagoda rock inert or not?

[lizziotti]

OK I bought a rock at LPS stating it was Pagoda which I read was inert but I tested it with the AP Nitrate test kit bottle #1 and it fizzed. I tested the water its been soaking in for a few days and the PH is fine.

Is it safe?

I wonder if the LPS mislabeled it, maybe thats why it was marked down!:duh:

It has a reddish tone and has ledges and a layered look to it, I'll see if if can get a pic.

 

[liv2padl]

testing a rock with a nitrate test kit is not likely to give you any meaningful results. what's "bottle #1" supposed to test for?

 

[lizziotti]

testing a rock with a nitrate test kit is not likely to give you any meaningful results. what's "bottle #1" supposed to test for?

I read somwhere in the forum that bottle one is hydrochloric acid wich is a better way to test if a rock has calcareous substances(will alter water chemistry)than with vinegar. Vinegar is not strong enough.

 

[liv2padl]

ahh, ok then. testing with HCl will definitely elicit a "fizzzz" when carbonate is present. since you got a pretty obvious reaction when testing, you should also have seen in increase in your pH. i have no idea why you didn't but in any event, it sounds like these rocks will be fine in your tank.

 

[wataugachicken]

but HLC is so much more acidic than water that i think it's kind of a moot point if it fizzes. putting the rock in water is going to take a much longer time to elicit any kind of chemical change, and there may not even be one. like putting something into the oven to see if it will burn, and when it does, saying it's not good to have in the house because it might melt at room temperature.

 

[liv2padl]

HLC is so much more acidic than water that i think it's kind of a moot point if it fizzes

not really ... any rock containing a carbonate salt has the potential to leach into your tank. it will take varying lengths of time depending on the particular salt of carbonate and its solubility, and the pH of your water (the more acid it is, the quicker the reaction).

yes, HCl is a strong acid but they wouldn't put high molarity acid in a test kit for use by the general public. it's likely to be only a 10% percent solution or less. Muriatic acid solution for example, is 10:1 dilute Hydrochloric acid and is commonly sold in hardware stores for descaling.

regardless, acetic acid (vinegar) isn't strong enough to elicit a fizzzz and is pretty useless as a test solution. you need muriatic acid at minimum.

if you wanted to maintain certain Apistogramma for example, you'd want to know whether the rocks you put in their tank would elevate the pH beyond your preferred 5.5-6.0.

 

[lizziotti]

Ok so do you think I should use this rock even though it fizzed? The bucket it is soaking in has not showed any change in PH? And if it does alter my PH won't my weekly water changes lower it? Thanks!

 

[liv2padl]

i'd go ahead and use it. once the rock is in the tank, check the ph every week and after a month, i'd just sit back and enjoy your pagoda.

 

[lizziotti]

Thanks for your help I'll do that!